By Sydney Rich
It’s Fall! If you’re currently located in Arizona like I am, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Something along the lines of “Girly, the high daily temperature this week is no lower than 100 degrees.”
You’re totally right.
But, I’ve got just the thing to get you excited for those ‘chilly’ 70-degree mornings that are soon to come. Welcome to this edition of the weekly round-up focusing solely on knitwear.
I have become addicted to shopping and searching for outfit inspiration on Instagram. Since doing so, my fits have truly reached another level. But my favorite part of the year is sweater weather and I must admit, I need to up my game in preparation.
Every year, I look forward to pulling out the fall and winter wardrobe essentials from the depths of my spare closet. The chunky knit sweaters. The pullover vests. Just thinking of all of the lovely crocheted and one-of-a-kind, hand-knitted grandma designs gives me the warm and fuzzies.
It’s okay if you don’t know your way around knitting needles or even a beginners loom because the following shops have done the hard work for you. Below you’ll find a few Instagram accounts that just might convince you to purchase your own cozy creations.
If vibrant, colorful patterns with a taste of handmade flare is your style, then this ‘small’ shop is for you. Fluffy was created in the UK from a 2014 university graduate collection that transformed into the full-blown 100% cotton crochet brand it is today.
Boasting over 115,000 followers on Instagram, this account is by far the most well-known of the bunch.
What’s even better are the ethical standards that this company offers its employees that shines through the quality of their garments.
Every piece is lovingly handcrafted since crochet cannot be done by machine. Each purchase then helps to support small family-owned business in a village in Indonesia where all workers are paid fair wages and create from home. No mass manufacturing factories in sight!
They ship worldwide through their website and payments are only made through PayPal. Keep in mind that purchasing any item from overseas is likely to have foreign transaction fees.
If you see something that you must have then you should get it as soon as possible. Since everything is made in small batches, they sell out fast and often. Add a groovy ethical crochet piece to your closet rotation. You won’t regret it!
This next crochet creations shop has beautiful pieces more suited for the Arizona fall gal like me who might not be able to get use of layerable knitwear year-round. Humble Fibers by Lauren is stocked with “handmade fiber arts goods,” including bralettes, earrings, tank tops, and other accessories.
For those of you who love a soft pastel and a dainty ruffle or two in your daily wardrobe, this new account is the place to go.
This one-woman show seems to have started in April of this year according to the earliest Instagram post. She creates and ships all pieces out of Portland, OR to anywhere in the US. Purchases can be made through Depop, Etsy, and DM if interested in a custom order.
The prices are reasonable and new designs are always on the horizon. Humble Fibers will definitely be one to watch!
Next up is the whimsical sweaters and cardigans of your dreams.
Meet I’D KNIT THAT! Owned and operated by one talented knitter in Oklahoma City. Launched at the beginning of the year, this budding knitwear shop has already gained some serious recognition.
Auli’i Cravalho, best known as the voice actress who played Moana, is even featured on the Instagram account wearing a one of a kind knit sweater (pictured in the bottom right-hand side of the image above).
Because this lovely lady is making these pieces all by her lonesome (as far as I can tell), it means that waiting for items to drop on her website is probably not the fastest way to snag an amazing new sweater. After scoping out the page, I would say a DM to the account and a little convo about your dream knitted piece is probably your easiest method of making a purchase.
I’D KNIT THAT! Is also available through their website and for in-person shopping at a local OKC vintage and artisan store called Oak City Vintage. Trust me, you’re grandma couldn’t make you a sweater half this cool so indulge yourself and check out I’D KNIT THAT! ASAP.
Self described as “funky fun crochet,” I can’t think of anything more fun than a three-piece matching set of a pink and red heart hat, earrings, and a bralette combo.
Say hello to another personal favorite of mine, FANCY NANCY. Not only is the color palette here amazing, but the designs themselves are sensationally on-trend. I distinctly remember seeing yin yang candles in the same lavender and cream color scheme on my explore page not even a week ago.
And now here we find the coordinating sweater? The universe must be trying to tell me something.
If anything, it’s saying to buy some amazing handmade crochet and to do it now! This account’s first post is from June and is already up to over 8,000 new followers which are phenomenal business growth during a pandemic.
Headed out of Bristol UK, this is another small shop from across the pond that warrants the extra transaction fee for some one-of-a-kind, handmade goodies.
The woman that creates these beauties sells everything through her Depop or as usual, through DM’s and she is open to doing customs if you’re feeling extra “funky fun.” And if you feel like going the extra mile, check out her handmade jewelry at @houseoflupa on Instagram and Etsy.
The final knitwear Instagram brand for this weekly round-up is this New York based sustainable retailer is the up-and-coming brand, THE SERIES.
This shop has a lot of fun as you can see by the lovely Iris Apfel and Harry Styles photoshop work.
THE SERIES takes ethical practices to the next level by designing entirely one-of-a-kind, hand embroidered garments “created entirely of preexisting materials.”
They make all of their clothes to suit all genders for all seasons. It’s all about inclusivity; something we definitely need to put a greater effort in promoting these days. But these designs truly are the cream of the crop.
Their Instagram feed has some of the most versatile ways to wear an embroidered, knitwear piece. THE SERIES is EXACTLY where the roads of sustainability and high fashion collide and create the future of the fashion industry.
From tanks to puffers to even vintage, their website has it all and you can also shop through their Instagram.
I hope after reading this article you feel as inspired as I do to find the most fashion-forward knitted, crocheted, quilted (etc.) pieces and get collecting for the fall and winter seasons. Even if it’s just for the Instagram fits or a socially distanced, mask-required meeting, you’re sure to be on the cutting edge of 2020 style wearing something that no one else will have.
Sustainable, handmade, and vintage is in and fast fashion is OUT! Budding brands like these are where fast fashion steals all of its designs. Don’t encourage the fast fashion industry. Support small designers and sustainable brands like these as much as physically (and fiscally) possible.
The planet and your closet will love you more for it.
Reach the writer on Instagram
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